Lang leads US Women's Open

BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2010 US Women's Open | Round One | 09 Jul 2010

24-year-old American Brittany Lang leads a group of four players at the completion of the opening day of the US Women’s Open at the Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh in Pennyslvania.

Lang was one of the latter players to finish on day one but with virtually no wind and perfect green surfaces throughout day one, the scoring conditions late in the day were little different to those earlier.

Her round of 69 has her one ahead of Amy Yang, M.J. Hur, 2008 champion, In Bee Park, and amateur sensation Kellie Shean.

Lang, who has yet to win on the LPGA Tour, arrived at this week’s event off the back of an indifferent season to date, her only top ten coming at the Kraft Nabisco Championship three months ago. Amongst her resume however is a stunning runner-up finish as an amateur in 2005 behind Birdie Kim when she also led after the opening round.

On the demanding Oakmont layout she was particularly impressive on the greens today and although a little wayward from the tee she managed to save herself with a solid short game.

Lang hit only 11 greens and 8 fairways but through 15 holes had actually opened up a two shot lead before a bogey at the last.

“It is extremely tough,” said Lang after her round. “And, you know, if you’re not on your game, you’re not hitting it good, you’re thinking about other things, you will shoot a big number, that’s for sure.”

“But I was just very honoured to play here. It’s such a treat to play here. I was just trying to have fun. I’m working on things myself, so I’ve got enough going on.”

Kellie Shean appeared as if she might emulate the deeds of Lang in 2005 when she recovered from an early bogey to lead by one before a bogey at the last and Lang’s strong finish saw her share second at the end of the opening day.

Shean is a 22 year old from Capetown who is attending college in Arkansas. She is playing in her first US Open and is delighted to just be here.

“I’ve been in Arkansas for three years now. I’m going back there in August. I mean, in the beginning I didn’t expect to be playing in a U.S. Open two years down the line. I mean, that just shows how much that Arkansas has helped me out and how much I’ve grown in the last couple of years.”

“I mean, I’m ecstatic to be here. I didn’t expect to be here. I’m just really thankful.”

Pre tournament favourite Cristie Kerr made a solid start to the event she won in 2007 with an opening round of 72.

Sarah Kemp and Tamie Durdin were the best of the six Australians after their opening rounds of 73, Karrie Webb had 74, Katherine Hull 75, Anna Rawson 77 and Lindsey Wright battled back from a horror start for a round of 78.

The cut tomorrow could easily fall as high as 10 over and even at this early stage the predictions of a winning score several over par appear on target.